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Background and aim:Neck pain (NP) is among the common musculoskeletal problems which may be caused or developed due to holding an inappropriate position of head and neck while working. The aim of present study was to investigate if work with computer relates with the forward head posture and its relationship with the neck pain among the office workers Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study in 2011-12, included 165 office workers of Semnan Welfare organization who were randomly selected. No limitation such as age, occupation and … were considered and all voluntaries with more than one year work experience could enter.After completing the questionnaires and existance of NP, considering its high incidence among women and to decline the gender confounding effect, 60 women were paired in two groups: with versus without NP. The head angle in compare to nack (CV angle) was measured using the goniometer. A Statistical software was used to analyze the data. Chi-square, mann-withney and independent t test were used for analyses. Results: The results regarding evaluation of instruments’ reliability were acceptable (the questionnare and CV angle measurement, Intera-class Correlation Coefficient 0.872 and 0.89, consequently). The CV angle of the neck pain group was significantly smaller than that in the control group(P<0.001). The relationship between more than three ours work with computer and forward head posture was also significant (P=0.01). Forward head posture among those who worked with computer more than 3 hours a day was 5.52 more common in compare to those who used computer maximum 3 hours a day. Discussion and Conclusion: Office workers who worked with computer more than three hours in compare to the opposite group, showed less Cranio-Vertebral (CV) angle. It could increase the risk of developing Forward Head posture. The CV angle of the neck pain group was significantly smaller than that in the normal group.A reverse relationship was found between the existance of neck pain and CVangle participants with NP showed less CVangle. Additionally, this study confirmed CVangle measurment as a reliable measuremant method to evaluate head and neck position. CV angle measurement with goniometer showed a reliable method to assess the posture of head and neck.

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purpose: Recent research indicated that the brain can change or reorganize itself after stroke and Stroke rehabilitation based on the evidence of neuroplasticity, which is responsible for recovery following stroke. The purpose of the present study was to review the previously published studies concerning effective of rehabilitation techniques in brain plasticity after stroke. methods: A literature search for the period of 1995-2012 was performed, using ProQuest , google scholar, PubMed ,Elsevier and science direct databases. Brain plasticity, stroke,CVA, rehabilitation training were used as keywords. Results: eighteen articles were selected according to the inclusion criteria of the study. There was a wide variation among studies in terms of methodology, main outcome measures, sample size,procedure, imaging parameters and type of rehabilitation techniques, etc. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that there is adequate evidence to support effective of rehabilitation techniques in brain plasticity and adaptation after stroke.

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Purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the main causes of disability in adults. Approximately 80% of LBPs lead to chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNSLBP). Damages to back region may be due to weak musculoskeletal structure, impaired muscle or joint flexibility, changes in muscle tone, and reduced strength and endurance. A set of exercises by small ball was designed by the corresponding and first authors to improve the balance of muscular activity. The current study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of small ball exercise program compared to Williams exercises, in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain.
Methods: Among the patients referred to the physical therapy clinics in Tehran, Iran, 30 cases (16 males and 14 females) were selected, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, through accessible sampling method in 2014-2015. Demographic information was recorded. The patients were randomly allocated into one of the intervention groups. For both intervention groups, a 10-session routine electrotherapy was applied (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot pack, and ultrasound). Additionally, in the intervention group 1, patients received small ball exercises, but the intervention group 2 received Williams exercises (as the control). Treatment was conducted by a physiotherapist and a research fellow assessed pain intensity based on visual analogue scale (VAS) and disability index (Oswestry). Assessments were performed before starting the intervention, after treatment, and then after 2 weeks of follow-up. Paired and independent samples t tests were employed to conduct the statistical analysis by SPSS18.
Results: There was no significant difference between the groups based on the baseline characteristics. In both groups, pain and disability showed significant improvement (P<0.05). But in small ball exercise group, reduction in pain (P=0.004) and disability (P=0.03) were more noticeable even after 2 weeks of follow-up. The applied treatment program was reported more acceptable and effective by patients.
Conclusion: The current study, while proving beneficial effects of Williams exercise with routine physiotherapy in patients with CNSLBP, showed that substitution of these exercises by small balls exercises could enhance the effect of treatment on pain and disability. Small ball exercise program also showed better outcome in the follow-up, and was ranked higher regarding its impact, ease of implementation, and desirability by the patients.